GENRE STUDIES UNIT-IV Heroic Drama

 

Heroic Drama

            It was a form mainly specific to the Restoration period, though instances continued to be written in the early 18^th century.

Characteristics

Ø  Love and valour- subject matters of the heroic tragedies.

Ø  Highly exaggerated actions and events.

Ø  The characters are of superhuman heights women possesses immortal beauty and men are brave and noble.

Ø  The speeches are high sounding and the diction is grand.

Ø  The purpose of heroic plays is didactic and it always teaches virtues to mankind.

Ø  The action of the play takes place in far off.

Ø  Heroic couplet is used instead of blank verse.

Major Dramatists of Heroic Tragedies

            John Dryden (161-1700) was the first and foremost exponent of the heroic plays. He wrote five such plays.

Ø  The Indian emperor

Ø  Titanic love

Ø  Conquest of Granada Part 1&2

Ø  Aurangzeb

            Thomas Otway (1652-1685) contributed greatly in the field of heroic drama by producing following popular plays. He is known for skilful presentation of characters in his plays.

Ø  Don Carlos

Ø  The orphan

Ø  Venice preserve (masterpiece)

Ø  Tragedy on a grand scale (his last play)